London-based TV journalist stabbed to death in Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia - A top television journalist was stabbed to in the streets of Mogadishu on Monday, Somali journalists' union said, just under 24 hours after the annual celebration of World Press Freedom day.

Said Yusuf Ali was killed by unknown assailants in the streets of Mogadishu, marking the beginning of another gloomy month for Somalia journalists, who have been the target of government agents and even the Al-Shabaab.

According to Mohamed Ibrahim Moalimuu, the union's Secretary-General, the victim was "stabbed to death by unknown assailants in the evening after finishing his routine duties". Yusuf, he added, was working for London-based Kalsan TV.

Unknown people armed either sharp objectives wrestled the journalist down before stabbing him severally before fleeing from the scene, witnesses said, in yet another incident that showcases tribulations reporters go through.

Until now, no group is yet to take responsibility for the heinous murder of the reporter, but such incidents are synonymous within Somalia, a country still struggling with dark memories of civil war and the Al-Shabaab menace.

Authorities in Mogadishu have launched investigations into the latest incident, although it's unlikely that the matter will be concluded due to a possibility of the government's hand, given its frequent tussles with the media.

Yusuf's death also comes a few days after a number of journalists thronged into streets of Mogadishu to condemn arbitrary arrests and detentions of their colleagues, especially within February to April.

For instance, Mukhtaar Atoosh of VOA and Abdiaziz Ahmed Gurbiye, were both arrested and detained. The former was accused of reporting a rape case in Baidoa while the latter is linked to a "defamatory" social media post against President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, an official said.

Even more worrying, legendary VOA reporter Harun Maruf was accused of being a "danger" to national security and spy agency NISA has also recommended for his prosecution. He's accused of working with Al-Shabaab militants.

Somalia has been in the spotlight over unprecedented attacks against journalists. Besides arbitrary arrests and detentions, some have been forced to flee while others have been executed, Amnesty International said in a report.

Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, the former president and the leader for Forum for National Parties, on Sunday asked authorities to respect media freedoms. He also paid tributes to those who have lost their lives on the field.

"The 3rd of May of every year acts as a reminder to governments of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom. It is also a day of remembrance for those journalists who lost their lives or lost their freedoms due to their journalistic profession," he tweeted.

But in another tweet, President Farmajo termed journalism a "noble" profession adding that his administration was in the process of reviewing the draconian Penal Code of 1964, which has been used frequently by government operatives to oppress reporters.

"My administration fully supports the decriminalization of journalism and free expression through legal reform," said Farmajo, whose administration has been directly linked to the misfortunes of the journalists.

Also on Monday, Safiya Osman, a correspondent for Shabelle TV and Radio in Waberi district, was brutally attacked by local authorities. The union of journalists has also demanded immediate investigations.

In 2018, Awil Dahir, another journalist attached to London-based Universal TV, was killed in a bomb attack within Mogadishu.

Last year in July, Mohamed Omar Sahal, SBC TV correspondent based in Kismayu and Hodan Naleyeh, female TV journalist and founder of Integration TV were also killed in a Kismayo hotel.

GAROWE ONLINE